This Braised Cabbage with Potatoes and Smoked Sausages is a classic Southern-style skillet dinner that’s hearty, budget-friendly, and full of comforting flavor. Sweet green cabbage is slowly braised on the stovetop in smoky bacon drippings, then simmered with savory smoked sausage and tender Yukon Gold potatoes until everything is perfectly cooked and infused with rich, homestyle goodness. It’s an easy one-pan meal made with simple ingredients, perfect for busy weeknights or laid-back Sunday suppers. This isn’t fancy food, it’s stick-to-your-ribs, just-plain-good eating the whole family will love.

Easy Braised Cabbage with Potatoes and Smoked Sausages Recipe

Oh, this right here is the kind of down-home comfort I grew up on, and it never gets old. A big pot of this braised cabbage and sausage goodness simmering away on the stove just feels like home. It’s the sort of easy dinner dish that sticks to your ribs and fills up the whole kitchen with the best kind of smells.

Serve it up alongside a hot pan of cornbread and a bowl of pinto beans and you’ve got yourself a meal that’ll make anybody happy. Or go ahead and have both, we’re not here to judge. It’s hearty, filling, and easy on the grocery bill, which makes it just as perfect for busy weeknights as it is for Sunday supper. Simple ingredients, big flavor, and plenty to go around, that’s my kind of cooking.

Key ingredients you’ll need to make Braised Cabbage with Potatoes and Smoked Sausages: (Scroll down for the full printable recipe card.)

Cabbage – Green cabbage forms the base of the dish. Skip the Napa cabbage for this recipe.
Sausages – Smoked sausage adds protein and turns this into a one pot meal.
Onions – Green onions for a mild onion flavor and color.
Bacon – Thick cut bacon gives the cabbage a smoky flavor. You could use classic
Potatoes – Yukon gold potatoes are tender and absorb the flavor of the bacon and onions.
Liquid – Chicken stock or chicken broth plus apple cider vinegar for an acid to balance the rich flavor.
Olive Oil – Adds a rich flavor and balances the bacon.
Garlic– Minced garlic complements the onion.

How to Make the BEST Braised Cabbage with Potatoes and Smoked Sausages Recipe

Cabbage is often overlooked when it comes to a great option for a main course meal. It’s inexpensive and filling, a terrific combination.

Fry Bacon – Cook the bacon until crisp, then remove from the pan and reserve the drippings.
Brown Kielbasa – Add the oil and sliced smoked sausages to the pan drippings. Cook over medium-high heat to brown.
Add Onion and Seasonings – Add chopped green onions, minced garlic, pepper flakes, seasoned salt and fennel seed.
Add Cabbage and Potatoes – To the pan add the sausage, cubed potatoes and cabbage.
Braising Liquid – Pour chicken stock and apple cider vinegar over the cabbage. Season with black pepper to your taste.
Simmer – Cover and cook over medium-heat per the recipe until the potatoes are fork tender and the cabbage is cooked through, stir occasionally.
Reduce the Cooking Liquid – Uncover, and increase the heat to medium-high, cooking until the cabbage is beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
Serve – Garnish with fresh parsley and crumbled bacon.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Braised Cabbage Potatoes and Sausage Recipe

Large 12-inch skillet or dutch oven.
Knife and cutting board.
Measuring cups and measuring spoons.
Garlic press and vegetable peeler.
Slotted spoon.

how-do-you-make-braised-cabbage-and-sausage

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

Onion – You can use a diced medium onion in place of green onions. Use a Vidalia onion or a yellow onion for a stronger onion flavor.
Red Cabbage – You may enjoy adding chopped braised red cabbage to the mix. I recommend around 1 cup chopped the same size as the green cabbage.
Bacon Drippings – You can leave out the bacon drippings and use butter, instead.
Sausages – You can use pork sausage, turkey sausage, chicken sausage or beef sausages.
Potatoes – You can use another variety of potatoes in this dish. Russet potatoes, red potatoes or white potatoes. Please note, they all have different starch content and therefore will cook differently. Adjust the cooking time depending on the variety you choose to use.
Seasonings – Crushed red pepper flakes add a little heat to the skillet overall. You can adjust the amount or omit them altogether. You may also choose to serve hot sauce on the side.
Vegetables – You may enjoy this braised cabbage with shredded carrots or sliced baby carrots in place of potatoes.
Servings – When serving this braised cabbage with bacon the amount of servings can vary depending on the appetites of those you’re serving. As a rule of thumb, as a side dish you may yield 6 servings and as a main dish 3-4.
Serving Ideas – Serve braised cabbage with cornbread and pinto beans for a downhome meal.
Oven Technique – See how to make Braised Cabbage in the oven here.

Storage and Leftovers

Leftovers – Store cooked simple Braised Cabbage with Potatoes and Smoked Sausages in an airtight container chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Reheating – Reheat on the stovetop over medium heat in a non stick skillet or in single servings in the microwave.
Freezer – You can freeze leftovers for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge and reheat in a skillet over medium heat.

More Cabbage Recipes to Make

Low Carb Oven Roasted Cabbage Steaks.
Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls take the fuss out of rolling classic cabbage rolls.
Southern Style Cole Slaw is a must make!
Hearty Braised Pork Chops with Cabbage and Apples.
Turn green cabbage into this Cheesy Cabbage Casserole.
Homemade Southern Chow Chow a delicious condiment for pinto beans, hot dogs and more.
Simple Southern Fried Cabbage.
Light and flavor packed Cabbage Soup.
Pickled Cabbage from Eating Well.

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